Record 23 hits lead Spikes to victory
NILES, OH - The State College Spikes set a single-game franchise record with 23 hits, including three home runs, en route to a 13-8 victory over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers on Saturday night at Eastwood Field.
With the win, the Spikes (40-20) reduced their magic number for a New York-Penn League Pinckney Division title to 10.
The 23-hit effort bettered the previous club record of 20, set on August 8, 2008 against Williamsport. Andy Young, who started the Spikes' scoring with a two-run homer to right-center field in the first, delivered the record-setting 21st hit with a single in the eighth inning.
Vince Jackson also keyed the offensive surge with three hits, including a three-run homer in the fifth for his third of the year. Jackson knocked in a total of four runs on the night.
Every Spikes player recorded at least two hits, with Young, Jackson, Ryan McCarvel, Elier Rodriguez and Yariel Gonzalez all contributing three hits apiece.
Danny Hudzina smashed the other State College home run, a solo shot to left field in the fifth
Spikes starter Bryan Dobzanski went the first 3 2/3 innings before giving way to reliever Max Almonte (2-1). Almonte logged 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits, to earn the win.
Gerwuins Velazco (2) finished out the game by allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over three innings for the automatic save. Velazco also struck out three batters on the night.
Mahoning Valley (29-30) also produced 16 hits as a team, with the total of 39 hits setting a combined single-game record for the Spikes and their opponents. Andrew Calica, Emmanuel Tapia and Nate Winfrey all collected three hits for the Scrappers, with Tapia rapping three doubles.
Scrappers starter Juan Hillman (3-3) took the loss after yielding six runs on 10 hits and a walk over three innings. Hillman recorded two strikeouts in the effort.
Sunday, the Spikes and Scrappers meet at Eastwood Field for the middle game of their three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Right-hander Jordan Hicks (2-0) gets his fourth start for the Spikes, while the Scrappers will send left-hander Tanner Tully (3-0) to the mound.
Following the conclusion of the series against the Scrappers on Monday, the Spikes will return home on Tuesday for a three-game set against the Batavia Muckdogs.
Highlights of the trio of 7:05 p.m. games against the Muckdogs include Princess Night and Daddy-Daughter Date Night on a $2 Walking Taco Tuesday, presented by B94.5, as well as Half-Craft Wednesday, presented by 93.7 The BUS.
The homestand concludes with the return of Tim "Wild Thang" Lepard and Team GhostRiders for another Cowboy Monkey Rodeo on Thursday night. The one-of-kind act featuring monkeys riding dogs herding sheep will thrill fans of all ages, with the skies lighting up with a fantastic FIREWORKS show after the game. Fans of age can also enjoy $1 Beer Thursday, presented by BIG Froggy 101.
Tickets for all three games, as well as each of the seven dates remaining on the Spikes' 2016 home schedule, are currently on sale through the Spikes Ticket Office by calling (814) 272-1711 or by visiting in person. Fans can also buy and download single-game tickets by visiting StateCollegeSpikes.com.
Plus, in anticipation of as many as four potential September home playoff games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, Spikes Four-Game Playoff Packs are now available for purchase. Playoff Packs start as low as just $16 per seat and include a $4 per game savings off the single-game price. In addition, each seat purchased as part of a Four-Game Playoff Pack will come with a free, limited-edition Spikes Rally Towel while supplies last.
Fans can purchase Four-Game Playoff Packs by visiting the Spikes Ticket Office at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, or by calling (814) 272-1711 during Ticket Office hours (9 a.m. to end of game on game days Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to end of game on game days Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on non-game days Monday-Friday).
Catch all of the action on Sunday via the Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Health, at 3:50 p.m. with Spikes Live, presented by Mount Nittany Health, on the air from Eastwood Field. The Spikes' radio broadcast can also be heard worldwide through the "Listen Live" link on StateCollegeSpikes.com, provided by the club's flagship radio home, Newsradio 1390 WRSC, as well as the TuneIn Radio app.